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  I got my black coffee from Starbucks, the usual. Money has been getting tight since my last published book has been getting less attention. I would start writing again, but what’s the point, it could be a flop like this current book, or could just not get published at all. I have no reason to start a new project, I’ll just keep budgeting. I sit down with my laptop and check some emails, I scroll down a bit looking for something interesting. I scroll quickly until my eye is caught on “Book writing opportunity”, I open it. Someone with a book idea has come to me to ghost write it for them, the publisher is all set up and they created a whole plan, I just need to put it together. I emailed back agreeing, after a few emails back and forth I was all set. Still lacking motivation I decided I’d start writing later.

  A few months later, I woke up in the late afternoon. I have a missed call, it’s from the person I’ll be ghost writing for and it’s a reminder that I have 11 hours left to submit the rough draft of the story. I jump out of bed and hop on my computer. It’s been a year and a bit since I last wrote, I don’t know where to start. I scroll down to the past emails examining the plan, this isn’t too hard. I still have plenty of time so I head down to a cafe and grab a bite to eat. I get another call, they ask “How far are you on the story?” I reply “Just working on the final touches, then I’ll be ready to submit it”, I get a worried answer “Okay I’ll be waiting”. This really hits me and I start to realize how much time I really have left, I check my watch and realize an hour has already gone by, I scurry back to my apartment.

10 hours left

I stare at the screen, with just the title on the page. Times new Roman font, size 12, middle of the page. Cursor is blinking, waiting for what I’ll type next, I’d definitely beat it in a staring contest. Staring contest 3… 2... 1… haha I won. I’m getting tired already, I should make a coffee. I get up and put some coffee in the pot. So how should I start this off. DING, the coffee is ready, double double, hm or should I do triple triple to get some sugar and hopefully hype me up. I don’t see why not, triple triple it is. I check the time, holy moly there’s only 9 hours left. I have to step up my game.

9 hours left

I get the first sentence in, okay this isn’t that bad. I get in my zone, I have a few paragraphs in. I reread what I have, I hate it. Backspace, there all gone. Well, I guess I could get a snack now, I need a break. I open up the small pantry and grab a muffin, this will do. I take a bathroom break and grab a glass of water. I hear a knock at the door. Just the mailman, I sign the package. I open it up and it’s my new puzzle. I bring it to the kitchen table and start on it. I see the time,I just realize I got lost in time and have 8 hours left. I need to stay focused.

8 hours left

I turn on some music. I re read the plan, I get to work. Paragraph 1 done. I’m on a roll 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 all done. Chapter one is good to go. Just 13 more left. So far so good. I take a quick break to refresh my mind. I read the plan again, I got the perfect idea. I hope back to the keyboard to not lose any inspiration and type away. I got chapter two done. I start typing at chapter 3, but lose my inspiration. I take a quick glance at the clock, 7 hours left. I’m losing time but I need a quick inspiration break.

7 hours left

I throw on my running shoes and head out the door. Down the first set, second set and third set of satires. I take a left and just start walking, I find myself at an intersection with a road which leads to a dead end, a road that goes to the highway and one that leads to shops. I turn down the dead end road, maybe I’ll spot something interesting. I went down the road and there was a bench, a man was sitting there, he started to talk to me. We chatted for a while and he ended up giving me some inspiration. We parted ways and I headed home. Chapter 3 and 4 done. I check the time, 6 hours left. I’m starting to get more motivated now.

6 hours left

I type up chapter 5, 6 and 7. I’m hungry again, I check the time and it’s around dinner time. I hop yo and put together some leftover tacos. It really hit the spot. I go on my phone and start scrolling and chatting with friends, losing track of time. I get startled by a call, “Hello, just seeing if you’ll have the story in on time?” “Yes of course, I'll have it emailed to you in time” I replied.  After a bit of talking we hang up and I check the time, 5 hours left. This is going to be a long night.

5 hours left

I start typing but as I am my eyes get heavy, I’ll just take a quick power nap to rest my eyes. I instantly fall asleep. I woke up, a 45 minute nap, I better get back to work, I analyze the plan again and start typing up a storm. A couple paragraphs done, 4 hours left. Let’s get this show on the road

4 hours left

Chapter 8 done, this was a long chapter. Lots of events occurred here, and lots of detail was put into it. It’s probably my favourite paragraph so far and it’s giving me the inspiration to do better on the next ones that are coming up. After that long chapter I check the time, 3 hours left. I’m about to be on the home stretch.

3 hours left

I rested for a bit and expanded on the plan to get a clear picture of what I wanted to do. It took longer than expected. I checked the clock and had 2 hours left. At least I’m making progress.

2 hours left

Chapter 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13 done. One more to go, as well and 1 hour left.

1 hour left

I was stuck. I didn’t know where to go next. I looked out the window staring blankly for a couple minutes. It hit me, I started typing away with the perfect ending, I kept checking the clock, the deadline was getting closer and closer. Last word, I’m done.

0 hours left 

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